Zion-I, a hip-hop duo from Oakland, Calif., will perform at a social issues awareness event Nov. 12 in the EMU Ballroom.
The group, which has been touring and encouraging social change for the past five years, will headline an event that also features Portland hip-hop artist Madgestiq and San Francisco hip-hoppers the Crown City Rockers. The event is sponsored by the UO Multicultural Center.
“Zion-I are some of the best underground hip-hop artists,” Multicultural Center program adviser Steven Morozumi said. “Their lyrics are progressive, and they reflect a need for social change.”
Amp Live and MC Zion, who comprise the group, met in college and formed a hip-hop group called Metafour along with three other artists. They later became a duo and released “Inner Light,” their first Zion-I single, in 1998. This was followed soon after by their first full-length album, “Mind Over Matter.” “Deep Water Slang Version 2.0,” their second recording, was released in February.
Zion-I and Madgestiq are both playing in Eugene as part of an extensive Oregon and Northern California tour. Morozumi said he first discovered Zion-I’s music eight months ago while on a search for “hip-hop on a budget” in Everyday Music, a music shop in Portland. Madgestiq, who had performed at the University twice before, suggested to Morozumi that he and Zion-I play at the upcoming performance.
“The hip-hop show regulars in Eugene are enthused about this show, and they plan on coming,” Morozumi said.
Hip-hop artist Karim Panni, who toured with Zion-I in the nationwide “Fantastic Four Tour” two years ago, said the duo does more than just play music to encourage changes in society.
“They reach out within their community,” he said. “They have held rallies for causes that are important to them, such as protesting police brutality. They stand for being righteous.”
Panni said that Zion-I’s music reflects the “West Coast mentality,” which he described as the laid-back yet difficult struggle of young black men in Oakland.
Three student hip-hop artists — Hanif Panni, Furious and Illaj — will open the show with a half-hour segment of self-written music.
Hanif Panni, Karim’s brother, organizes, hosts and opens hip-hop shows in Eugene and said he plans to perform “hip-hop to the fullest” with Furious and Illaj. He said that on the whole the show will be entertaining and impactive.
“Students need to have the experience of having a good time while listening to music and powerful social commentary,” he said. Zion-I “send out a good message while entertaining at the same time. When the audience is having fun and a message is squeezed into their heads at the same time, the message is more effective.”
Morozumi said Zion-I’s musical message supports multiculturalism, which is the purpose of the event. It will also include student speeches about social issues such as affirmative action and the lack of University funding for a more culturally diverse staff. The ASUO Multicultural Advocate office and the Black Student Union are co-sponsoring the show.
The show will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale for $8 for University students and $9 for community members at the EMU Ticket Office.